On the grapevine
Discover what people are saying about Farmer’s Table in the news and find out the latest happenings.
A very well planned matchA true family business, Round Pond Estate has been producing world-class wines for over thirty years. Bob and Jan MacDonnell, bought the first parcel of land back in 1983 and now Miles and Ryan MacDonnell brother and sister serve as CEO and COO, respectively of Round Pond Estate. This winery, vineyard and olive mill is located on the family land in Rutherford, California. After years of providing grapes for some of the region’s finest wine producers, the MacDonnell family began making their own wine under the Round Pond label with the first vintage in 2002. Today Round Pond Estate produces highly acclaimed Cabernet Sauvignon and Sauvignon Blanc from the family’s 356 acre vineyard. They also craft specialty gourmet foods, including fine red wine vinegars, citrus syrups and olive oil.
The Round Pond Estate wines are very good as are the olive oils, vinegars, and citrus syrups. All of which are fresh, quality products made with superior ingredients sourced from the estate land with impeccable attention paid to each and every detail. But here is what makes Round Pond Estate exceptional.
“Magnitude 6 South Napa Earthquake of August 24, 2014; at 3:20 AM local time, the northern San Francisco Bay Area was struck by the largest earthquake to impact the Bay Area since the 1989 M6.9 Loma Prieta earthquake.” “……Yesterday’s earthquake appears to have ruptured on or just west of mapped traces of the West Napa Fault, the most seismically active of the faults mapped between the longer Rodgers Creek Fault on the west and the Concord-Green Valley Fault to the east. United States Geologial Survey has named the earthquake the “South Napa earthquake.” “…..Damage is localized in the region surrounding Napa due to the rupture directivity to the north-west. River valley sediments in Napa Valley likely contributed to the amplification of shaking around Napa.” – U.S. Department of the Interior, U.S. Geological Survey
On August 25, 2014 at 12:00, noon a Round Pond Estate wine luncheon was scheduled in Boca Raton, Florida with Miles MacDonnell as the guest of honor and host. I was familiar with Round Pond Estate as I had written about their olive oil in an article on California Wineries that produce Olive Oil for our digital magazine, South Florida Lifestyle Guide. Now being presented with an opportunity to try the Round Pond product line and meet Miles MacDonnell, there was no way I wasn’t going to make this luncheon. Certainly not for the same reasons but with the same professional cadence Mr. MacDonnell wasn’t going to miss this luncheon either, and no Magnitude 6 South Napa Earthquake was going to stop him.
At 12:00, noon on August 25, 2014 Miles MacDonnell was in attendance at Farmer’s Table in Boca Raton, ready to take an eager audience of 20+ on a sensory journey of his beloved Round Pond Estate. It is this type of professionalism, and dedication that makes one business stand above and beyond others. Entrepreneurs hold themselves to a very high standard, driving themselves harder than anyone else ever could, doing things that most would never consider doing. Because they have to, and because they want to. And that is the foundation of being an entrepreneur. This is something most people don’t understand unless they have that entrepreneurial calling. I was fortunate enough to sit at Mr. MacDonnell’s table, and as he was taking us through the olive oil and vinegar tasting I kept thinking to myself, “if I had just been through a natural disaster that caused physical damage to my business, would I have gotten on a plane, fly across the country to present a 3-hour tasting, and then turn around and fly back to Napa the same day?” This innate entrepreneurial dedication, commitment, and enthusiasm reflects back to the quality of the product. I was intrigued when I had researched Round Pond for the olive oil article, as I discovered they built their own mill and press the olives by variety in either a stone mill or hammer mill, controlling, and determining the quality of their product. And now even more so with the value Miles put on showing up at the luncheon; no matter what.
Round Pond 2013 Rosato Di Nebbiolo – “a rose by any other name would smell as sweet” . Native to Italy, this Nebbiolo *expat* has found a new life in the New World as an aromatic, sweet, and bright wine with a touch of popping acidity for that standout memorable quality. SRP $24
Round Pond 2013 Sauvignon Blanc – for the unequivocal fans of New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc this wine will soften your staunch stance on Sauvignon Blanc from California. A solid aromatic contender; crisp, and clean with a surprising integrated effervescent pop that lingers and captivates long after the wine is finished. SRP $24
Kith & Kin 2012 Cabernet Sauvignon – bright strawberry, raspberry, and cranberry mingling with black cherry, toasted oak and vanilla. The lush full entry of red fruits evolves into a dark full bodied California Cabernet. SRP $30
Round Pond Estate 2002 Cabernet Sauvignon – The very first vintage. Such a treat. So special. No longer available for purchase
Round Pond Estate 2013 Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve – The promise of what is to come.
The pairing of Round Pond Estate Wines and Farmer’s Table restaurant was not by happenstance but rather a very well planned match of food and wine. The Farmer’s Table has developed a philosophy that is committed to fresh, honest food sourced from the best local farms so they know exactly where and how everything is produced. The Farmer’s Table stands on the belief that the preparation and creation of a dish is just as important as the taste, which is why the focus is on real food that is fresh, healthy, delicious, and satisfying without excess fat, sodium or preservatives. Farmer’s Table calls their cuisine “feel good food”. First, it’s good for you: nutritious and nourishing to the body without deprivation of flavor or satisfaction. It’s good for the community, as they support local farmers and artisans. And it’s good for the planet, because they partner with eco-conscious purveyors and implement environmentally friendly practices in the kitchen.
Citrus and Scorpion Pepper Snapper “carpaccio” melon and petit vegetable gazpacho.
Pork Belly Watermelon Radish Salad with house kimchi and toasted macadamia nuts
Seely’s Ark Rabbit, Pan Stirred baby Black Kale, with fresh figs and gluten free white truffle spatzle
Clewiston Waygu Bavette Steak with Deep South Brgundy Okra, Calabaza puree
Florida Citrus & Round Pond Estate Olive Oil Vegan Bundt Cake
The aftermath. Take that Magnitude 6 South Napa Earthquake, you are no match for the determined, the dedicated, and the professional.
